International Coastal Clean-Up

TAKE NOTHING but waste from the ocean, 
LEAVE NOTHING but a positive impact to earth and society

Beer bottles, candy wrappers, soda cans, packs of chips & fruit juices with a dead dog traverse Manila Bay as dozens of WWF (World Wildlife Fund for nature) volunteers prepare to do coastal clean-up, in participation to the International Coastal Clean-up drive.

QTV video: Coastal Clean-up of Manila Bay

What used to be a teal water, Manila Bay, now has turned grey.  With highlights of pastel hues from the empty food packages disposed to this body of the water has become the silhouette of the popular sunset of Manila.

"The Manila Bay, a crescent of water curving inward from the island of Corregidor and the peninsula Bataan. For many centuries,vessels of all kinds from parts of the world have cast their anchors her, unloading exotic riches as well as traders, Muslim rajahs, Chinese pirates, British rulers, Spanish friars and conquistadores who were to found the city of Manila" [Images of Manila, Manuel Duldulao]

What is left of Manila Bay for the future generation?

After a few hours of clean-up, what welcomed the volunteers is what bade them goodbye.  The trash was humongous that not hours of work will see a difference, at once.  But after finishing a 10-year battle with goverment agencies, Atty Antonio Oposa's petition to rehabilitate Manila Bay has been approved by Supreme Court.  There is a renewed hope that it will be seen in better days.

The High Court stressed, "The importance of the Manila Bay as a sea resource, playground, and as a historical landmark cannot be over-emphasized.  It is not yet too late in the day to restore the Manila Bay to its former splendor and bring back the plants and sea life that once thrived in its blue waters.  But the tasks ahead, daunting as they may be, could only be accomplished if those mandated, with the help and cooperation of all civic-minded individuals, would put their minds to these tasks and take responsibility.  This means that the State, through petitioners, has to take the lead in the preservation and protection of the Manila Bay."

The Supreme Court directed governmental agencies to coordinate the clean-up, restoration and preservation of the water quality of the Manila Bay.  The full text of Supreme Court order on Manila Bay clean-up, click here..

In the same way, we need to push the government agencies to take the lead in marine conservation projects. Incidentally, next month, September, is the International Coastal Clean-up month.  A group of PADI-certified divers in the Philippines, in support of Project AWARE Foundation (International), is organizing a clean-up dive. Dive against debris!*

WHAT: Annual Clean-up Dive
WHEN: 3 September 2011, Saturday
WHERE: Pier Uno, Anilao, Batangas
DETAILS: Php3500 for Divers
Inclusive of overnight stay, 2 dives on 3 Sept, 4 meals, drinks, raffle tickets
Exclusive of gear rental.  4 Sept (Sunday) dives follow regular rates.
MORE INFO: Email Monica at cail_babz@yahoo.com

Click here for a Directory of Recycling Companies

*Dive against Debris (Project AWARE): Pervasive debris kills wildlife, destroys habitats, and threatens our health and economy.  Found in even the most remote ocean places, once underwater, debris can remain for generations.  The good news is marine debris is preventable.  Coordinated strategies are needed at local, national, regional and international levels to prevent, reduce and manage solid waste. Together, we can stop marine debris by taking local action and supporting policy change.  It starts with underwater data. The Dive against Debris data you collect and report will inform, persuade and empower policy makers and other stakeholders to establish and improve integrate solid waste management practices.  Practices where we reduce, reuse, and recycle our way to an ocean free of marine debris.  Want to know more?  Check out Project AWARE's FAQ link here